Obama praises Lebanon for hosting Syrian refugees

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — President Barack Obama is praising Lebanon's generosity in welcoming refugees fleeing the crisis in Syria.

Obama met with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman (su-LAY'-mahn) Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting came just after Obama announced $339 million in additional humanitarian aid in response to Syria's crisis, including $74 million for Lebanon to support refugee needs.

Suleiman says Lebanon has had a difficult time dealing with the influx of refugees. His country has a population of about 4.5 million and now officially hosts more than 700,000 registered refugees. There are likely many more. Suleiman has estimated at least 1 million Syrian refugees are in Lebanon, with thousands more crossing over each week.